While there’s no cure for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), many people look for ways to manage symptoms. This can include dietary modifications or the use of supplements. One group of nutrients that’s getting attention is the B vitamins. But can they really help with this long-term skin condition?

Read on to discover whether the B vitamins may help ease the painful lesions and abscesses, linked to HS and improve your quality of life.

What Are B Vitamins?

B vitamins are a group of eight nutrients that help the body turn food into energy. Certain B vitamins also play an important role in supporting brain function, the immune system, and cell health.

Vitamin B12 is an especially important nutrient. This vitamin helps your nervous system work properly, supports DNA production, and helps make healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 also supports brain function and helps maintain energy levels throughout the day.

You can get vitamin B12 naturally through a few foods. Some good sources include eggs, beef, salmon, and tuna. Milk, yogurt, and fortified cereals also have vitamin B12. Because vitamin B12 is found naturally in a lot of animal products, you may need to consider taking supplements if you follow a plant-based or vegetarian diet.

Can Vitamin B Help With HS?

Research on vitamin B for HS is still limited. However, a few studies suggest that vitamin B12 may offer some benefits. HS is an inflammatory condition, which means the immune system overreacts and attacks your hair follicles, causing swelling and pain.

One clinical study suggested that vitamin B12 might help reduce inflammation. One possible reason is that B12 helps lower levels of homocysteine, a substance in the blood. High levels of homocysteine are linked to increased inflammation.

These findings suggest that vitamin B12 may help with HS symptoms by lowering homocysteine and its pro-inflammatory effects. This could make B12 a useful tool in calming the immune system and easing HS flare-ups.

It’s important to know that no large studies have tested vitamin B12 in people with HS. Most studies so far have been small, so more research is needed to better understand this link.

How Do You Take B12?

Vitamin B12 comes in several forms. You can take it as a pill, a nasal spray, or an injection. If you’re thinking about trying vitamin B12 for HS, talk with your doctor first. Your healthcare provider can help you choose the right form and dose.

Keep in mind that in cases where B12 helped people with HS, very high doses were used. These doses are much higher than what is found in a standard vitamin supplement.

Side Effects of Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is generally safe. It’s a water-soluble vitamin, which means your body uses what it needs and gets rid of the rest through urine. Because of this, taking extra B12 usually does not cause harm.

Some people may have side effects at very high doses. These can include headaches, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, or tingling in the hands or feet.

Is Vitamin B12 Right for You?

If you want to try vitamin B12 for your HS, talk to your doctor first. They can check your B12 levels and help you decide whether supplements are a good option for you. You should never change your HS treatment plan without medical guidance.

Be sure you tell your dermatology provider or another healthcare provider about all the medications and supplements you take. This helps prevent drug interactions and ensures all your treatments work well together.

As research on HS continues, health experts may learn more about whether vitamin B12 truly helps. For now, it is an option worth discussing with your healthcare provider as part of your overall care plan.

Join the Conversation

On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you tried taking vitamin B or other supplements to manage your HS symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.